Double headed hammer

ABSTRACT

A hand tool, a double headed hammer or a hatchet for example, constructed for acceptably expedient use by carpenters, roofers, lathers, floor layers and mechanics. The over-all multipurpose head means embodies the usual eye or socket in which the shaft or shank of the handle is securely anchored. A curved claw, alternatively a hatchet blade, is provided at one end. The other end is unique in that it is provided with two angularly oriented selectively usable main and auxiliary impact heads. Each head is provided with a planar driving, pounding, and impact applying face. The face of the main head is disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The face of the auxiliary head is slanted at a 20* angle oblique to the axis of the handle in a manner to offset the usable position of the handle and in so doing, to effectually prevent the knuckles and fingers of the user&#39;&#39;s hand from striking the work surface.

United States Patent [191 Florian 1 Mar. 12, 1974 DOUBLE HEADED HAMMER Berkeley J. Florian, 88 West St., Plantsville, Conn. 06479 Sept. 25, 1972 [76] Inventor:

[22] Filed:

[21] Appl. No.: 291,633

OTHER PUBLICATIONS Estwing, Hardware Age, Feb. 12, 1959, pg. 144.

Primary Examiner.lames L. Jones, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Mark S. Bicks Attorney, Agent, or Fir m-CIarerice A. O B den; Har

vey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT A hand tool, a double headed hammer or a hatchet for example, constructed for acceptably expedient use by carpenters, roofers, lathers, floor layers and mechanics. The over-all multipurpose head means embodies the usual eye or socket in which the shaft or shank of the handle is securely anchored. A curved claw, alternatively a hatchet blade, is provided at one end. The other end is unique in that it is provided with two angularly oriented selectively usable main and auxiliary impact heads. Each head is provided with a planar driving, pounding, and impact applying face. The face of the main head is disposed in a plane substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The face of the auxiliary head is slanted at a 20 angle oblique to the axis of the handle in a manner to offset the us able position of the handle and in so doing, to effectually prevent the knuckles and fingers of the user's hand from striking the work surface.

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures DOUBLE HEADED HAMMER This invention relates to manually usable handleequipped tools, more particularly, compound and multipurpose tools such as, for example, hammers, hatchets, sledges and the like, and pertains to improved head means which is an innovation in that the selectively usable main and auxiliary heads which are provided better serve the needs of carpenters, roofers, lathers, floor layers and many other hand tool users.

Hand tools in the field of endeavor under consideration are of many and various styles and types. For background purposes, an examination of prior art tools and implements will readily bring to light single headed claw hammers used by carpenters, single head hatchets with nail and tack pulling features, single butt-head axes, dual headed ball-peen hammers, sledges having distinguishably different heads at the respective ends of the handle-supported body, and other magnetic and diversified constructions.

Despite the widespread development and usage of hand tools, such as above mentioned, there has long existed a need for a hammer (or hatchet) wherein clearance and protection for the hand, fingers and knuckles is attainable while the hammer is being used when nailing, for instance, in corners which are difficult of access -or on sloping roofs and similar work surfaces. An object of the present invention is to provide a simple, practical and easy-to-use double headed hammer which is used mainly by carpenters, roofers, lathers and others and wherein the impact face of the main head functions more or less in the usual manner, and wherein the supplemental vor auxiliary head, whose impact face is disposed at or degrees, serves to offset and cock the handle in a manner to virtually prevent the knuckles of the gripping hand from undesirably striking the work surface.

With the adaptation revealed, and as experience has shown, when nailing a floor or shingles-on a roof with a slight pitch (even a generally flat roof) the user can rely upon the offset head while stooping or, alternatively, the regular or main head when properly kneelmg.

Briefly the handle is unchanged and the major components of the head means remain unchanged. This is to say the shank or shaft of the handle fits into the usual centralized eye or socket of the overall head means. On one side the head means terminates in either a claw or hatchet blade as the case may be. The other side is provided with novel dual or double heads. Both heads basically are broadly similar to each other, are usually, but not necessarily, square in plan or elevation and the planar impact surfaces are milled or knurled to provide the desired anti-slipping result. The aforementioned main head, which can be said to be the one located toward the gripping'end of the handle is capable of being used in an ordinary or conventional manner. When however difficult-to-cope-with nailing and hammering services are called for the oblique-angled auxiliary head is readied for use. When using this angular head the handle is also cocked and assumes a desired clearance angle and functions, as already suggested, to space the hand, fingers and knuckles reasonably clear of the work surface.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a dual headed claw hammer constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention showing one form thereof.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the head means.

FIG. 3' is a view in side elevation showing the head means with greater particularity. FIG. 4 is a view of a slight modification with the dual or double heads separated by an intervening nail pulling crotch and showing a hatchet'or similar cutting blade at the right-hand end of the head means.

By way of introduction to the description of the details, it is to be pointed out that a more effective stroke and powerful but accurate blow can be delivered with the same effort due to the fact that the whole arm can be used whereas, with conventional tools, only the wrist and elbow are commonly used. Then, too, it should be pointed out that trial and error experience has shown that the user of this tool becomes accustomed to its improved use with a minimum of time, labor and effort.

The wooden, plastic or equivalent elongated handle is denoted by the numeral 6 and is fragmentarily shown, the end portion 8 (FIG. 1) being fashioned, in actual practice, into an appropriate handgrip (not shown). The aforementioned one-piece metal or equivalent head means is denoted (FIGS. 1-3) by the numeral 10. The central or main body portion of the head means 12 is provided, as usual, with the customary eye or socket member 14 for telescoping reception and retention of the shank or shaft portion 16 of the handle. Wedges 18 and a cleat 20, if desired, are shown to assure reliable and positive connection between the shaft portion and head means. The head means (FIGS. 1-3) to one side of the eye or socket is provided with a carpenters claw hammer 22. The stout shank 24 on the opposite side is fashioned into and terminates with the aforementioned dual block-like heads. One head is denoted at 26 and is herein set forth as the main head. The complemental or companion head 28 constitutes the added or auxiliary head. Both heads are close together and integrated to provide the rigidified and united construction desired. A groove which is centrally arranged as at 30 marks and divides the selectively usable heads 26 and 28. Each head is provided with a substantially square or an equivalent impact or striking face. In actual practice each face is planar and may be milled, knurled or otherwise roughened in the manner suggested in FIG. 4. As brought out in FIG. 3 the main impact head has its impact face 32 disposed in a plane which may be said to be at approximate right angles to the lengthwise dimension of the overall head means and approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle 6. This head can be employed much in the manner of any ordinary hammer head. When however the circumstances are such that insufficient clearance for the fingers and hand is present the user resorts to the use of the oblique angled auxiliary head 28, that is the impact surface 34. It is reiterated that when nailing a floor or on a roof with a slight pitch or even a flat roof, the user or operator can use the offset head 28 merely by stooping or, if preferred, can use the conventional head 26 by kneeling. As is true with all implements and tools, the particular job at hand and skill and experience determines which component had best be used for safe and acceptable hand protecting results.

The heads can be separated and, if desired, magnetized to assist in holding nails to be driven into'far reaching places and, in so doing, to protect the nail holding fingers.

Another feature which ties in with the double head hammer construction is that wherein when removing nails, where a ripping hammer is not available, the user can impart blows to the offset head 28, more specifically the surface 34, and in so doing can more satisfactorily drive the claws 22 under the head of the nail or staple as the case may be.

In the modification shown in H6. 4 the details of construction are basically the same. Here the handle is denoted at 36, the shank or shaft 38 being fitted into the socket or eye 40 and held in place as at 42. The head means is here designated, as an entity, by the numeral 44. One end is provided with a hatchet or equivalent cutting blade 46 adjacent to which a tack pulling notch 48 may be provided. In this arrangement the main head is denoted at 50 and the impact face at 52, said face being milled as at 54. The inclined or angularly pitched head, the auxiliary head, is denoted by the numeral 56, the impact face at 58 and the milled surface at 60. These two heads are separated by an intervening V-shaped crotch 62 which can be used as a nail puller. The separated heads can be magnetized to assist in holding nails to be driven into far reaching places if desired.

It should be made clear here that the faces of the hammers, while shown square, can be round, oval or any other suitable shape. Also, the handle need not be made of wood. In fact, the handle may be made of plastic material (hollow or solid) or, if desired, made of steel tubing or fibre glass,'as the case may be.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 1

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A hand tool, a hammer or hatchet'for example, comprising a straight elongated handle having onehanded gripping means at its inward end and an axial shaft at its forward end, and complemental one piece head means having a median body portion provided with a socket-like eye in which said shaft is retentively fitted, said head means having a-special purpose implement, a claw hammer for example, at one end and a stout shank terminating in a pair of closely oriented main and auxiliary nail driving and hammering heads at the other end, said heads being individual and selectively usable, each head being provided with a substantially planar impact, pounding and hammering face, said faces being milled, the impact surface on the main head being positioned at right angles to the lengthwise dimension of said head means and in a plane generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of said handle, the

impact surface on the auxiliary'head being disposed above and at a 20 angle oblique to the longitudinal axis of said handle so that when the tool is being used the handle is angled in a direction offset away from the plane of the work surface.

2. The hand tool defined in claim 1, and wherein said main and auxiliary heads are'basically alike in shape and size and are separated by a V-shaped crotch located between opposed surfaces of the respective heads. 

1. A hand tool, a hammer or hatchet for example, comprising a straight elongated handle having one-handed gripping means at its inward end and an axial shaft at its forward end, and complemental one piece head means having a median body portion provided with a socket-like eye in which said shaft is retentively fitted, said head means having a special purpose implement, a claw hammer for example, at one end and a stout shank terminating in a pair of closely oriented main and auxiliary nail driving and hammering heads at the other end, said heads being individual and selectively usable, each head being provided with a substantially planar impact, pounding and hammering face, said faces being milled, the impact surface on the main head being positioned at right angles to the lengthwise dimension of said head means and in a plane generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of said handle, the impact surface on the auxiliary head being disposed above and at a 20* angle oblique to the longitudinal axis of said handle so that when the tool is being used the handle is angled in a direction offset away from the plane of the work surface.
 2. The hand tool defined in claim 1, and wherein said main and auxiliary heads are basically alike in shape and size and are separated by a V-shaped crotch located Between opposed surfaces of the respective heads. 